Nakuru County is addressing the pressing challenges of new HIV infections, teenage pregnancies, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) to reduce the ever-increasing numbers, especially among youths.
The chief officer for Public Health, Ms. Alice Abuki, said that with 58% of the county population below the age of 24, these issues threaten progress towards taming the spread of HIV as a public health threat by 2030. She was speaking during a meeting with the residents at the showground.
She revealed that in 2022, adolescents accounted for 39% of new HIV infections among adults. The county government was concerned with the high prevalence when they anticipated reduced numbers due to the advanced awareness created by health officials, schools, and religious organizations throughout the country.
However, she noted that while adolescent pregnancies have declined, 42% of SGBV cases in 2023 were among adolescents aged 10–17. In addition, SGBV deprives victims of dignity and respect, impacts their physical and emotional well-being, and often interrupts schooling. Hence, it makes them more vulnerable to infections.
The chief officer enumerated factors such as lack of comprehensive sex education, especially the avoidance of testing, which could contribute to higher rates of HIV transmission among adolescents. Leading to undiagnosed cases and further transmission.
Ms. Abuki said other factors might be poverty, socioeconomic disparities, and high rates of risky behaviour, which might limit access to education and healthcare services, thus accelerating vulnerability to HIV infection among adolescents. And early sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, and substance abuse.
Nevertheless, she said the Department of Public Health, in collaboration with other stakeholders, was doing everything possible to address the underlying factors, as well as societal attitudes and structural inequalities that contribute to the spread of HIV among adolescents.
By Veronica Bosibori
